NASCAR BGN: Larry Foyt qualifies fifth at Michigan
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
August 18, 2001BROOKLYN, Mich. -- Rookie driver-owner Larry Foyt posted a career best qualifying run in his Harrah's No. 14 Monte Carlo at Michigan International Speedway today to start fifth in the NAPAonline.com 250 NASCAR Busch Series race Saturday.
Foyt qualified at 39.220 seconds around the two-mile oval at a speed of 185.580 mph. His previous best start was 10th at Pike's Peak International Raceway in Colorado in July. His best finish in the Busch Series is 12th at Talladega Superspeedway. Starting ahead of Foyt tomorrow is pole winner Jimmy Spencer followed by Ryan Newman, Mike Skinner and Kevin Lepage.
"The car felt good in practice this morning," said Foyt, who was 21st in the first practice. "We changed a few things and were able to pick up a couple tenths while some other guys slowed down. We put a lot of work into this car and the engine department worked hard on the engine. This is good for the whole team."
Foyt, son of four-time Indy 500 winner A.J. Foyt, did not test at MIS but his first impression of the track was a positive one.
"It's different from a lot of the other tracks, but I like it," said the 24-year-old Houston native. "It's smooth and wide. We only ran about 15 to 20 laps before we qualified. I'm anxious to see how it works in traffic during Happy Hour."
The NAPAonline.com 250 will be broadcast on TNT cablevision network at 1:00 pm ET.
Text provided by Anne Fornoro
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit
The Racing Photo Museum and the
Visions of Speed Art Gallery.